Network Security

Running head: ARTICLE REVIEW 1

ARTICLE REVIEW 4

Article Summary Assignment #1

Prepared by: Abhignya Kannaiahgari

Date: May 16th, 2019

ECS 6200 – Managing Information Security

Article Title: Why Reward for Loyal Spenders Are ‘a Honey Pot for Hackers’

Reference : https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/11/business/rewards-loyalty-program-fraud-security.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FComputer%20Security%20(Cybersecurity)&action=click&contentCollection=timestopics&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=4&pgtype=collection

Loyalty programs are commonly known and utilized by the people, but technology is modifying how it is utilized. Initially, loyalty started with coupons, but with time and technological integration, it has shifted to apps, and now websites (Hsu, 2019). But unlike many people realize, current loyalty programs are after something more valuable today compared to currency, and that is personal data. Personal data holds vital information about the holder, and this makes them targets for hackers. This data if stolen can be used to impersonate consumers breaching the contracts of their loyalty programs (Hsu, 2019). Other outcomes also include the depletion of accounts of their financial resources into the black market. This raises the question of whether loyalty programs are potential risks for consumers.

An example is that of 2018 which is deemed as the largest data breach in I.T. history when Marriot’ Starwood unit was a victim to an attack whereby personal data was stolen. Mainly passport numbers, they were stored in a DD (Dunkins’ Donuts’) program that was not protected (Hsu, 2019). Hackers target these loyalty programs as they offer a lot of data with the least resistance; this is as per institutional experts. Users of these programs easily sign up and use weak passwords and in most cases neglect consumer data. Nonetheless, the overall reality of the matter is that programs, hackers and technology, in general, have grown at an almost exponential rate but cybersecurity is lagging (Hsu, 2019).

The urgency of the matter is appreciated when people understand that company loyalty programs are tailored to faithful clients. With this in mind, they will willingly offer personal information which will then be used to personalize their experience. But with increasingly more information being sent to the companies offering the loyalty programs less concern is given on the data’s security (Hsu, 2019). But some companies have learned from experience for example banks requiring firmer authentications such as the two-factor authentication system or various forms of biometric identification (Hsu, 2019). The overall understanding that should be appreciated is that loyalty programs are the new target for hackers.